Can You Use Alpha Lipoic Acid with Niacinamide?
When it comes to skincare, we all know that using formulas and ingredients packed with antioxidants is the best way of ensuring our skin remains at its healthiest state. Luckily for us, there are some ingredients that deliver more impressive results compared to others. Alpha lipoic acid, being one of the most used ingredients to help the skin and body reap the rewards. It has been proven that alpha lipoic acid has an antioxidant capacity that is over 40,000% more powerful than a combination of vitamin C and E.
So, is this powerhouse the missing ingredient in your everyday skincare routine, and can you use alpha lipoic acid with niacinamide? Let’s dive in and find out more about how to use these ingredients effectively.
What is niacinamide?
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and is usually found in skincare formulas, such as serums. Known for its ability to diminish signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as its beneficial humectant traits. When applied topically, you’ll expect to see significant difference in the overall skin hydration. It can do this with the humectant traits I have already spoken of this is performed by moisture surrounding the face is absorbed into the skin and locked into place. This ensures the skin’s natural protective barrier is strengthened and able to ward off any exposure to free radical damage, caused from UV light, pollution, central heating, harsh climates, and other environmental aggressors.
You will also find niacinamide contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to calm any irritated skin making it an ideal ingredient to include into your routine if you have a dry or sensitive skin type. It isn’t just dry skin types that benefit from niacinamide, oily and blemish-prone skin types will benefit from this clever powerhouse. One other unique trait of niacinamide is its ability to regulate oil production preventing sebum (the natural oil found in the skin) from being overproduced, leading to flare-up in acne and breakouts.
If you wanted to know a little more about niacinamide and how it works on the skin, check out our dedicated blog post.
What is alpha lipoic acid?
Alpha lipoic acid is an enzyme naturally occurring in the body and is formulated into several skincare products. Known for its impressive amounts of antioxidant it has a higher capacity for these free radical fighting compounds compared to vitamin C and E, two separate ingredients that are often found to reign supreme when it comes to antioxidants.
You can benefit from alpha lipoic acid as a supplement, which can come in the form of a capsule, or eating plenty of foods, such as red meat, spinach, broccoli, tomato, and brussels sprouts. By taking it as a supplement you are protecting your body from the inside from all free radical damage. You can also, obviously apply it topically onto the skin, but with this there is a downside to this potent powerhouse, and that is the increased sensitivity to sunlight can cause the skin to burn and experience long-term sun damage. Always ensure you apply a daily SPF to keep the skin fully protected and safe in the sun.
What can you not mix with niacinamide?
Vitamin C is the main ingredient that should not be mixed with niacinamide. Although they both contain impressive amounts of antioxidants, they do not work well together. This is because each ingredient performs similarly on the skin. When mixed will begin to counteract each other rendering each ingredient completely useless.
This doesn’t however mean you shouldn’t use niacinamide and vitamin C in your daily routine. Many find that alternating the time of day the ingredients are applied ensures the skin reaps the rewards, without the worry of suffering from unwanted side effects, such as dryness, itching, or redness. Vitamin C enriched serums tend to give the overall look of the skin a glowing and vibrant finish. Personally, I feel this is the best ingredient to use during your morning routine for all day protection from free radicals, with a healthy, luminous look to the complexion. You can then follow this with niacinamide in your evening skincare routine to help hydrate and repair the skin after a day of exposure to free radical damage from the UV light.
What can you mix with alpha lipoic acid?
There is very little you can mix with alpha lipoic acid, it is in fact, often found in a few product formulations for an added boost in antioxidant protection. However, there is also a limited amount of knowledge surrounding how effective ALA is for the skin. This is something you must bear in mind when you are wanting to introduce it into your routine. For peace of mind, I would suggest consulting with a doctor, dermatologist, or medical professional before applying it to the skin. If you wanted to be extra careful, you could also perform a patch test by taking a 10p size amount of the product and applying it to the inside of the forearm. Leave it for 24 hours and if there are no signs of irritation indicates you skin is happy to have ALA applied to it.
Can you use niacinamide every day?
Yes, you certainly can use niacinamide every day, in fact, you can use it twice a day. Many find that due to its humectant traits, it’s a highly beneficial ingredient to use in the evening before applying more potent skin ingredients, such as retinol. Niacinamide will not only counteract any potential dryness caused by retinol and other acids, such as salicylic acid, you will also find it helps other actives absorb quickly and effectively into the skin.
Can I mix niacinamide with hyaluronic acid?
Absolutely, teaming niacinamide and hyaluronic acid together gives the skin the ultimate boost in hydration. Ideally, I would suggest you apply hyaluronic acid first this will draw moisture and lock it into place. Following this with niacinamide will allow this powerhouse to focus on regulating oil production and minimising the appearance of pores.
There you have a little more information about using alpha lipoic acid with niacinamide. Remember, if you have any questions you can come, and follow us on Instagram.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
